John Dunn, deputy state epidemiologist, maps the national meningitis outbreak in October 2012. / Dipti Vaidya / File / The Tennessean

Written by

Nicole Young

The Tennessean

Another Tennessee patient has died from fungal meningitis after a four-month span when no deaths were reported in the state, officials said.

Carol Wetton, 71, of Guthrie, Ky., died Tuesday at Saint Thomas Hospital from complications from the original infection, said hospital spokeswoman Rebecca Climer.

Her death brings the state fatality count to 15, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.

The Centers for Disease Control last updated the total number of U.S. cases and deaths on April 8. At that time, there were 53 reported deaths and 733 confirmed illnesses from tainted steroid shots across 20 states.

Before Ms. Wetton, the last Tennessee death from the fungal meningitis outbreak was reported in mid-December.

In the wake of Ms. Wetton’s death, the state Department of Health issued a statement on Wednesday.

“Even though the period of greatest risk for exposed patients has passed, the department continues to work to assure appropriate awareness of the small possibility of new infection,” the statement said. “Unfortunately, it is possible Tennessee and the nation may see more deaths associated with the outbreak.”

A funeral service for Ms. Wetton will be at 6 p.m. on Friday at the Cook-Webb Funeral Home in Guthrie, Ky.

Ms. Wetton is survived by her husband, three sons, one daughter, three brothers, one sister, eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Climer said no meningitis patients are currently hospitalized at Saint Thomas.

Besides Ms. Wetton, the patients who have died from fungal meningitis after receiving the tainted injections in Tennessee include: